Backhoes - What am I missing?

puter · Jan 17, 2004

Thanks for the many comments/suggestions to my previous questions. The consensus seems to be that, for my purposes, a CUT would be a better option than a skid steer.

I'd REALLY like to have a backhoe. But, given the cost and capability, I'm having trouble seeing how it would make sense to put a backhoe on a CUT? My dream machine would probably be a L3130 or L3430 with a loader, backhoe and quick attach.

But for 10-12K I can pick up a used construction TLB (like a Ford 555) that would seemingly outperform the CUT in nearly every respect. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Does it come down to just the size of the machine and whether you can get it where it needs to be? Or am I missing something more fundamental? Again, I have very little experiece with either type of machine, so I'd appreciate comments/corrections to my conjecture from those that do...

theonlybull · Jan 17, 2004

one of the biggest things would be the in-ablity to perform anything other then hoe, or fel work with the backhoe. don't get me wrong, i have a 580 case, and 2 older tractors, both without 3pt hitches. there are many times when i could use a tractor with a 3pth for mowing, or running other equipment, and i just have to do without. if your going to own a single machine, a CUT with a fel and hoe will be able to do more projects then a full sized hoe.

now if your planning to build a house, i'd say buy the fullsized, use it till the house is finished, then trade it on a CUT with a few attachments.

DK35vince · Jan 17, 2004

I could get a full sized backhoe for around the price you mention, and it would out perform a CUT for loading and digging.
But then I would need another machine for my brush mowing, finish mowing, tilling, Ect.
I want to be able to do all of the above, but only have 1 machine to maintain and store. For my needs a Compact tractor works out best.

Richard · Jan 17, 2004

I've got an Industrial JCB 1550B (15 1/2 foot digging depth), and I mooch on my uncles tractor to help cut his fields.

The only advantage I'd see on a hoe on back of a CUT might be the smaller footprint/weight you'd have to get in closer to foundation, between trees in woods..? (then again, you can simply push them over to create your own path with full sized /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)

1 vs 2 machines to maintain

If it were me, I'd put my vote on more machines to maintain /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, after all, seems to me that the industrial will do what it does better than the CUT, and the CUT will do what IT does better than the industrial?

That's my story (opinion) and I'm sticking with it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Richard

ScottAR · Jan 17, 2004

I've got a 30hp CUT. I too struggled with the small backhoe/TLB debate. I found the small hoes wouldn't do the things I wanted to accomplish. I don't have a TLB yet but I will.

snowbound · Jan 17, 2004

How often do you need to use the backhoe? If that's not a whole lot of the time then you get less with the TLB than with the CUT because the CUT also has the three point hitch and rear PTO and is more maneuverable, etc. than the TLB.

Backhoe is one of those things that seems like the occasional rental will make more sense than buying, or else it will be so necessary that you wouldn't be asking about it here.

GregJ · Jan 17, 2004

I have a small CUT with a BH and I use mine quite frequently. Primary use is landscaping and firewood. I have found it very useful in close quarters. I have used it for stump removal, sprinkler systems, sod removal, transplanting and even light "weeding". (I keep threatening to get a squeegie for the backhoe bucket and start doing the windows with it, but my wife won't let me..... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif)

The real advantage to having one is being able to walk by something in your yard, get an idea and just do it. I have done a lot of jobs that never would have gotten done if I had to rent a machine. My wife and I are a little impulsive, so when we get an idea, it's kinda fun to just watch the dirt start to fly..... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Just one more perspective,
Greg

rockyridgefarm · Jan 17, 2004

I agree with greg, besides it was only $4800.00, but then, mine us green....

art · Jan 17, 2004

As the 10,000 dollar machines get older hose and cylinder failure becomes the normal not the exception. This can be frustrating when trying to get a job done on a weekend. There is more to go wrong with the older machine then the new. But it is good advice if you want to dig a pond or a house foundation get a big machine and then buy a cut to the size of the property.

del · Jan 18, 2004

It just depends on what your uses are. Newer backhoes are
completely different than the old cheapies. Some of the backhoes
sold today have digging ability comparable to an older excavator.

Lots of improvement in ease of maintenance, reliabilty, features.

But who can afford the 60K+++ for home use?

I think if you can rent one you won't go with an old one.
2WD backhoes are designed for utility work and just about
helpless in the rough.

I'd suggest also renting an excavator. They can dig circles
around a backhoe, and go everywhere you want them to go.Even
renting one you will be able to use it successfully in a fairly short period of time.

When you turn it a mess is made pretty fast unless you use
100 feet as your turning radius!

One time county was doing some work and needed a spot to
hide an excavator for the weekend. They offloaded a Cat 312
with 30 hours on it and put back in our woods a bit. Wife
was visiting friends backeast. I emailed her some pictures
and said we had a new addition to the family and I got a
great deal on it, only 65K. It looked brand new in the
pictures, it was obviously on our property from the
background and had none of those pesky rental stickers to
mess up the picture! Pretty funny /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif(at least one of
us thought so)

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifDE L/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif